AP File PhotoTodd Bertuzzi, left, has teamed with Henrik Zetterberg on Detroit's most consistent line in the playoffs.GLENDALE, Ariz. -- It has taken Detroit Red Wings forward Todd Bertuzzi a while to warm up to his net-front role in the playoffs.

Standing around trying to screen the goaltender and create space for his linemates isn't as exciting as trying to make plays with the puck. But he knows what he has to do.

"I think I have a tendency to get a little; I don't mean to use the word 'bored,' but you see other guys handling the puck in the corner and you wish you could go play with them,'' Bertuzzi said Friday morning at Jobing.com Arena, hours before Game 5 against the Phoenix Coyotes.

"But I'm in a role where I'm better suited in front of the net with the guys we have. It seems to generate a handful of more goals for my line.''

Bertuzzi's line, with Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula, has been the club's most effective unit through four games of the Western Conference quarterfinal series. As such, it's the only line that's remained intact.

To stay that way, coach Mike Babcock made it clear Bertuzzi better act as if he's tethered to the front of the net.

"If he's not around the net, he doesn't get to play with those guys. It's real simple,'' Babcock said. "On both of those (top) lines, we have a guy specifically to do that, to stay out of the way, take a D-man out of the way, so the (other two forwards) have more space. If they don't go (to the net), they don't get to play with those people.''

Coyotes defenseman Ed Jovanovski, who is hard to play against in his own right, knows how difficult it is to deal with the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Bertuzzi when he's battling for position in front of the crease.

"He's a big body, a tough guy to contain," Jovanovski said. "You've got to get body positioning on him, work his hips and move him around, but it's easier said than done. He's a load to handle in front of there.''

The physicality and animosity level between Bertuzzi and Jovanovski, former teammates with the Vancouver Canucks, was turned up a notch in Game 2.

"This time of year, you've got to do whatever it takes to help your team win,'' Jovanovski said. "Bert's a good friend of mine. We spent a lot of good years together, but I'm sure if he sees an opportunity to do something, he's going to do it. And I've got to do the same thing.''

Bertuzzi knew about Jovanovski. He said the rest of Phoenix's defense also is physical and competitive.

"Derek Morris is a real gritty player, too,'' Bertuzzi said. "I'm pretty impressed with (Keith) Yandle. I didn't know he was that good. We got to make sure we make it hard on them.''

That's not as easy to do in the post-lockout NHL, where obstruction is watched more closely.

"It's completely different from when I was in Vancouver; it was no holds-barred, you could do anything in front of the net and it was actually fun,'' Bertuzzi said. "Here, during the regular season it's pretty quiet, not much going on. During the playoffs it heats up a little more in front of the net. Looks a little bit more like the old days, makes it a lot more enjoyable there.''

Bertuzzi was one of only three Red Wings to play all 82 games (Nicklas Lidstrom and Brad Stuart were the others). That's a significant accomplishment for a player who's been dogged by a series of injuries the last few years.

"We got a good medical staff. That and what I was able to do in the summer contributed to staying healthy,'' Bertuzzi said. "It (225 pounds) is a weight I can still be strong on my feet with but also be able to keep up with the likes of whoever I'm playing with, whether it's (Pavel) Datsyuk, Z (Zetterberg). Game's turned into a speed game, either adjust or you get passed by.''

He plans on playing next season and would like to re-sign with the Red Wings, but his main focus is getting his first Stanley Cup ring.

"I just want to win. I want what all these guys have,'' Bertuzzi said. "Just from being around them, it makes you appreciate what they've gone through in order to get it. It's a tough battle and we're still a long ways away, but my only goal is to accomplish that.''